Apparatus for mixing and delivering liquids



April 5, 1927. 1,623,132

R. H. L. PENNELL ET AL APPARATUS FOR mum AND DELIVERING LIQUIDS.

Filed Auz. 18, 1925 I 7 IIIII/Il/Ill/IIIII/II/IIIA ll INYEIVTORfi REGINALD HUMPHREY Ls: PENNEL ADRIAN VVILF'RED Wvus, I fi F r r QL- Armin:

Patented Apr. 5, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

REGINALD HUMPHREY LEE PENNELL, OF WINDSOR, AND ADRIAN WILFRED WYLIE, OF CHOBHAM, ENGLAND.

APPARATUS FOR MIXING AND DELIVERING LIQUIDS.

Application filed August 18, 1925, Serial No. 51,062, and in Great Britain February 4, 1925.

This invention relates to that kind of apparatus for mixing and delivering liquids wherein a liquid, collected in a receiver from an intermittent supply thereof, effects the discharge of another liquid, stored in a container, through the agency of the displacement of air in a tube in open connection with the receiver and the container, the two liquids eventually discharging as a mixture from the receiver.

The invention is characterized by the provision of a permanent liquid seal in connection with one end of the tube establishing the communication between the receiver for one liquid and the container for the other.

Therefore, this invention comprises apparatus wherein a portion of a liquid stored V in a container is delivered into liquid supplied to a receiver consequent on, or subject to, the head on, or at, a permanentliquid seal in association with the container and with the receiver, the two liquids eventually discharging as a mixture from the receiver.

Apparatus incorporatin the invention is capable of varied application for mixing and discharging liquids for sundry services; thus, for instance, the stored liquid may poseess disinfecting, cleansing, deodorizin softening, sterilizing or colouring properties relatively to iillGOtllQl liquid which may be variously supplied to the receiver, such as by collection from a flowing stream, or by a tip-bucket feed.

By way of example, we will now describe, with reference to the accompanying more or loss diagrammatic drawings, three constructional forms of our invention particularly adapted for the automatic disinfecting, cleansing or deodorizing of urinals and water closets, where the disinfecting or other liquid is mixed with a portion of the flushing water on its way from the cistern to the urinal or closet pan whereto the mixture is discharged after the flush has taken place, or just prior to, or simultaneously with, the end of the flush, although the mixture may be arranged to discharge synchronously with the flush.

Of these drawings:

Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation of one form;

'2 is a diagrammatic view of the sec- 0nd. form;

3 is a like view of the third form.

a e s e etter of ef rence are use throughout to designate the same or cor responding parts.

Referring first to Fig. 1, the apparatus comprises, as already explained, two main parts A and B whereof A is vessel constituting the receiver for the water collected during the normal flushing operation, and B the storage container for the disinfecting or other liquid which enters the vessel A, hence this vessel also functions as a mixing chamber. Although exemplified as two distinctvessels, obviously the receiver A and the container 13 may be constituted by the compartmental structure of a single vessel. An air vent is suitably provided between the receiver A and the container B, and, if desired, it may be rendered adjustable in appropriate fashion.

The vessel A is connected to the flush pipe C by a cranked pipe D provided with a baffle or scoop E projecting into the flush pipe C whereby a portion of the flush water is directed into the vessel A while the flush is taking place. The pipe D is secured to the vessel A by, for instance, a cork plug inserted in the recess d, and carrying the horizontal arm of the pipe frictionally so that the pipe may be turned sidewise as a whole. Consequontly on turning the pipe D to one side or the other of the normal position illustrated, the effective collecting area of its end E is varied thereby presenting a simple method of adjusting the quantity of the flush water collected. 7

As a still further alternative for regulating the inlet of the collected flush water into the vessel A, the appropriate end of the pipe D is restricted or reduced in bore by partial permanent closure effected by squeezing it or otherwise.

On the completion of the flush, or the major part thereof, the mixture in the mix' ing chamber A discharges into the flush pipe C through an opening 6 in the pipe D well as at the scoop-end E, and thence into the urinal or closet pan. Thus the flush water enters the vessel A for admixture with the disinfecting or other liquid from the container B, and the eventual mixture leaves the chamber A, by the one pipe D, but, if desired, the mixed liquids may leave the vessel A-by a pipe distinct from the pipe D. When it is required that the discharge of the mixl' EH-B Shall begin. synchronously with the flush, the provision of a pipe additional to, but distinct from, the pipe D is necessary, such pipe being disposed higher than the pipe 1). Furthermore, if desired, the vessel A may be in direct communication with the flush pipe C instead of indirectly as. illustrated; or, again, it may be positioned at a distance from the fiush pipe C and connected by a pipe D of appreciable length as compared with that exemplified; or, in another alternative, it may be entirely disconnected from the flush pipe C and draw its supply from the pipe D suitably positioned with its scoop or baifie E situated at the usual outlet of the flush pipe C at the urinal or the closet pan. here restricted flushes are adopted, as, for instance, in the case of urinals having several stalls, a baffle or scoop E is or may be dispensed with.

Means, such as those of the rotary hitand-miss valve type, may be provided, as indicated, at L, or externally by means of a cock, for regulating the quantity of water entering the mixing chamber A, and either substitutingthe rotary-adjustment and restricted expedients of the pipe D already explained, or supplementing them; and, also, as indicated at I, means of the same kind may be provided for regulating the rate at which theflmixture discharges from the apparatus. These means L and I each comprise the same components, namely and respectively, a small opening Z and 21 in the pipe D, and a complemental sleeve M- and N rotatably mounted on the pipe D and furnished with an opening corresponding with the opening Z'or i.

The container B is sealed and rendered air-tight at the upper end, apd at the bottom end it is provided with an adjustable nozzle or orifice F throughwhich the, liquid discharges into the mixing chamber A.

The container B carries an open-ended tube G projecting interiorly and exteriorly thereof, the joint being air-tight. Appro priately, the nozzle or orifice F and the tube G are slidably and, therefore, adjustably, supported by a cork plug closing the mouth of the container B. The upper end of the tube G is in close proximity to the top of the container B and above the level of the liquid content, whilst its lower end projects within the mixing chamber A and extends below the level of the nozzle or orifice F. This end of the tube G is associated with a permanent water seal H opento the atmosphere. The seal H may be separate from the tube G and applied at the lower end thereof; or, as represented, it may be constitutedby turningup the end of the tube G. \Vhen theseal H is separate from the tube G, it may. be rendered adjustable by simple mechanical means of known kind. As shown,- the nozzle or orifice F is, preferably, situated vertically above the opening to the seal H in order that when the container B is first inverted after filling the discharge of liquid through the nozzle or orifice F, caused 'by air entering the tube G before it is sealed, or While the column in the tube G is rising to establish equilibrium, is caught in the seal H, and thus the seal is established and waste is prevented.

Under normal conditions, the head of the liquid, within the container B, upon the nozzle or orifice F supports a correspond ing column 01 water above the seal H in the tube G. On flushing, as the water enters and rises in the mixing chamber A above the level 01"" the seal H, it causes the column in the tube G to rise, thereby displacing part of the air contained in the upper portion of the tube G which passes into the con tainer B thus causing a quantity of the liquid contained therein to discharge through the nozzle or orifice F into the mix ing chamber A; the quantity of liquid so discharged being controlled by the heightto which the water in the mixing chamber A rises above the level of the seal H and/or by the internal diameter of the tube G, the maximum etl'ective height to which the liquid may-rise being the level of the nozzle or orifice F.

After the flush has taken place, the mixture in the mixing chamber A discharges into the flush pipe G through the adujustable opening at 1 in the pipe D, and as the level off the mixture falls it allows the column in the tube G to fall thereby causing air to be drawn into the container B through the nozzle or orifice F and thus maintain equilibrium.

As the flush water again enters and rises in the mixing chamber A, the process is repeated.

The effective rise and fall of the water in the mixing chamber A, and hence the quantity or dose of liquid discharged from the container 15, is regulated by the raising or lowering of the .water seal H and/or of the nozzle or orifice F, this adjustment being efiect-ed on removing the container B bodily from the vessel A, or by any simple lever or like attachment.

It is expedient to associate means with the tube G with the object of dai'nping or preventing the oscillation of the contained column. This oscillation results, for example, the level of the liquid in the mixing chamber A falls below the nozzle or orifice F and air bubbles enter it and pass through the'liquid in the container B, the column of liquid in the tube G tends to fall suddenly so that its momentum carries it below the normal level necessary to establish equilibrium. The column then oscillates, and in so doing causes a further, but undesired, ejection of liquid from the nozzle ororifice. F. A simple form of the means for avoiding this oscillation consists of a throttling device, one construction of which, as illustrated, comprises a reduction or restriction provided below the seal H. Thus the flow of the liquid column in the tube G is throttled or damped so that it falls slowly in level, and is not carried beyond the level necessary to establish equilibrium, consequently no liquid is discharged from the nozzle or orifice F except that due to the rising column in the tube G.

As will be manifest, the mixing chamber A, the nozzle or orifice F, and the tube G may be suitably graduated or otherwise adapted to enable the quantity of the liquid in the vessel A to be seen and regulated as desired and also to enable the strength of the mixture to be ascertained and regulated to any degree.

The apparatus may be made of any appropriate material or materials. The vessel A and container B may be of iron, porcelain, glass or the like, but, preferably, of glass to enable the liquid levels and operation to be clearly visible; or either or both of these components may be made in metal, with a glass or other transparent window. The components F and G may be of glass, and the component D of a non-corrodible metal or of glass. I

Referring now to Fig. 2 the container B is, as in the other examples, adapted to discharge its liquid contents by way of the nozzle or orifice F into the vessel A associated, already explained, with the flush pipe C. The nozzle or orifice F may be in the bottom of the container B as shown in full lines, or at theside thereof as indicated by the dotted lines. The seal H is positioned within the vessel A independently of the container B to which, however, it is connected by an air tube G led through the liquid contents and terminating below the level of the nozzle or orifice F. With the end of the tube G thus situated, there will be no discharge from the nozzle or orifice F unless and until the air in the container B is compressed by the rising water in the vessel A. The tube G is, preferably, of such a height 1 1' that the liquid will not be drawn over into the bell or seal H.

We will now refer to liig. 3, which illustrates a construction embodying a combination of the structures represented in Figs. 1 and 2 suitably modified. Here, the tube partakes of the structure of the tube G shown in Fig. 1, and of the tube G represented in Fig. 2, inasmuch as it is provided with a seal H which, however, is positioned in the. container B, with its lower extremity below the upper extremity of the nozzle or orifice F. The liquid inthe tube G always stands at a constant level relative to the level of the liquid in the mixing chamber A bereu t e a P a a n the .cent i r B, plus thehydrostatic head It, is always equal to the atmospheric pressure, and as the head h decreases the pressure a, a increases by air rising to the top of the liquid in the container B as in the basic or Fig. 1 construction. \Vhen the flush-water entersthe vessel A in the manner already described with reference to Fig. 1, it rises in the tube G thereby displacing the contained air which, accordingly, bubbles up through the liquid in the container B, consequently increasing the internal air pressure a, a and causing a discharge of liquid through the nozzle or orifice F equal in amount to the air displaced in the tube G to discharge the required dose from the nozzle or orifice F to produce the desired mixture in the mixing chamber A. When the mixture flows or drains from the chamber A, the column in the tube G falls and air enters the container B through the nozzle or orifice F and bubbles up to the surface of the liquid until equilibrium is again attained. The extreme end of the tube G within the container B may be. reduced or restricted so as to produce a throttling action at the outlet whereby the air leaves it in a series of many small bubbles instead of a few big bubbles, and thus functioning to prevent oscillation as described with reference to the structure 9 shown in Fig. 1. i

It will be seen that in all the forms of the apparatus, the discharge from the nozzle or orifice F is subject to the amount of air admitted into the container B, and that the diameter of the element G is a factor affecting the discharge. Also, when the water in the vessel A rises above the level of the nozzle or orifice F, no further discharge takes place however high the water in the, vessel A rises abovethe level of the nozzle or orifice F. Consequently, the tube element Gr may be reduced in diameter above this level if desi able for constructional purposes, and for the same purposes it may be more convenient to compose the tube of two tubes suitably connected or merged together, one tube being of large diameter and extending up to the level of the nozzle or orifice F, and the other tube being of small diameter.

In some cases the rush of water into, and discharge from, the mixing chamber A may cause compression and/or rarefaction in the vessel A, which action may give rise to the discharge of the liquid from the orifice or nozzle F to produce the mixture in they chamber A.

What we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is z- 1. Apparatus of the kind referred to for mixing and delivering liquids wherein a portion of'a liquid stored in a container is delivered into a liquid supplied to a receiver subject to the head at a permanent liquid seal in a seeie ion with the cpnta ner and ith thereceiver, the two-liquidseventually dis charging as a mixture from the receiver.

2. Apparatus of the kind referred to for mixing and delivering liquids wherein a portion of a liquid stored in a container is delivered intoa supply of liquid collected in a receiver from a flowing stream, subject to the head at a permanent liquid seal in association with the container and with the receiver, the two liquids discharging as a mixture from the receiver on the substantial cessation of the flowing stream of liquid.

Apparatus of the kind referred to for mixing and delivering liquids wherein a portion of a liquid stored in a container is delivered into a supply of liquid collected in a receiver from a flowing stream, and the two liquids are discharged in admixture from the receiver on the substantial cessation, of the flowing stream, the mixing of the liquids, and the discharge of the mixture, being subject to the displacement of air 111 a permanently liquid-sealed device in open communication at its respective ends with the receiver and the container, and subject to the rise and fall of the liquid content of the receiver.

4. Apparatus of the lii'nd'referred to for mixing and delivering liquids comprising a receiver wherein liquid is supplied; a corn tainer wherein liquid is stored to be mixed and discharged with the other liquid; means, including a permanent liquidf seal, for establishing variable pressure communication between the receiver and the container subject to the ambient hydrostatic or atmospheric heads; means for establishing liquid discharge communication between the container and the receiver; and means for discharging the mixed liquids.

5. Apparatus of the kind referred to for mixing and delivering liquids comprising a receiver wherein a supply of liquid from a flowing stream is collected; a container storing a supply of liquid tobe mixed and discharged with the other liquid; means, in-

cluding a permanent liquid-seal device, for

establishing variable pressure communication between the receiver and the container subject to the ambient hydrostatic or atmospheric heads; means for establishing liquid discharge communicationbetween the container and the receiver; and means for collecting the liquid from the flowing stream, and for discharging the mixed-liquids on the cessation, or the substantial cessation, of the flowing stream.

6. Apparatus for mixing and delivering liquids wherein a liquid, collected in a receiver from an intermittentsupply thereof, elfects the discharge into the receiver of another liquid, stored inacontainer, through the agency of the displacement of air in a tube in open communication with the receiver andv the container, the two liquids eventually discharging as a mixture from the receiver, characterized by the combination of a permanent liquid seal with, and in connection with, one end of the tube establishing communication between the receiver for one liquid and the container for the other liquid.

7. Apparatus for mixing and delivering liquids wherein a liquid, collected in a re ceiver from an intermittent supply thereof, effects the discharge into the receiver of another liquid, stored in a container, through the agency of the displacement of air in atube in open communication with the receiver and the container, the two liquids eventually discharging as a mixture from the receiver, characterized by the combination of a permanent liquid seal with, and in connection with, one end of the tube establishing communication between the receiver for one liquid and the container for the other liquid, the said liquid seal being adjustable.

8. Apparatus for mixing and delivering liquids wherein a liquid, collected in a receiver from an intermittent supply thereof, effects the discharge into the receiver of another liquid,stored in a container, through the agency of the displacement of air in a tube in open communication with the receiver and the container, the two liquids eventually discharging as a mixture from the receiver, characterized by the combination of a permanent liquid'seal with, and in connection with, one end of the tube establishing communication between the receiver for one liquid and the container for the other liquid, the said tube being provided with a throttling device.

9.- Apparatus for mixing and delivering liquids wherein a liquid, collected in a receiver from an intermittent supply thereof, effects the discharge into the receiver of another liquid, stored in a container, through the agency ofthe displacement of air in a tube in open communication with the receiver and the container, the two liquids eventually discharging as a mixture from the receiver, characterized by the combination of a permanent liquid seal with, and in connection with, one end of the tube establishing communication between the receiver for one liquid and the container for the other liquid, the said tube being provided with a throttling device consisting of a restriction adjacent tothe said liquid seal.

10. Apparatus of the kind referred to for mixing and delivering liquids comprising a receiver wherein liquid is supplied; a container wherein liquid is stored to be mixed and discharged with thleother liquid; means, including a permanent liquidseal, for establishing variable pressure communication between the receiver and the container subject to theambient hydrostatic oratmospheric head; means for establishing liquid discharge communication between the container and the receiver, said means comprising a nozzle; and means for discharging the mixed liquids.

11. Apparatus of the kind referred to for mixing and delivering liquids comprising a receiver wherein liquid is supplied; a container wherein liquid is stored to be mixed and discharged with the other liquid; means, including a permanent liquid seal, for establishing variable pressure communication between the receiver and the container subject to the ambient hydrostatic or atmospheric head; means for establishing liquid dis charge communication between the container and the receiver, said means comprising a nozzle adjustably supported and open at the respective ends tothe receiver and the container; and means for discharging the n 'xed liquids.

12. Apparatus of the kind referred to for mixing and delivering liquids comprising a receiver wherein a supply of liquid from a flowing stream is collected; a container storing a supply of liquid to be mixed and discharged with the other liquid; means, in cluding a permanent liquid-seal device, for establishing variable pressure communication between the receiver and the container subject to the ambient hydrostatic or atmospheric head; means for establishing liquid discharge communication between the container and the receiver; and means for collecting the liquid from the flowing stream and for discharging the mixed liquids on the substantial cessation, of the flowing stream, said means comprising a pipe associated at its respective ends with the flowing stream of liquid and with the receiver.

13. Apparatus of the kind referred to for mixing and delivering liquids comprising a receiver wherein a supply of liquid from a flowing stream is collected; a container storing a supply of liquid to be mixed and dis charged with the other liquid; means, including a permanent liquid-seal device, for establishing variable pressure communication between the receiverand the container subject to the ambient hydrostatic or atmospheric head; means for establishing liquid discharge communication between the container and the receiver; and means for collecting the liquid from the flowing stream and for discharging the mixed liquids on the cessation, or the substantial cessation, of the flowing stream, said means comprising I a pipe associated at its respective ends with the flowing stream of liquid and with the receiver, the inflow and outflow through said pipe being subject to control.

7 14. Apparatus of the kind referred to for mixing and delivering liquids comprising a receiver wherein a supply of liquid from a flowing stream is collected; a container storing a supply of liquid to be mixed and discharged with the other liquid; means, including a permanent liquid-seal device, for establishing variable pressure communication between the receiver and the container subject to the ambient hydrostatic or atmospheric head; means for establishing liquid discharge communicationbetween the container and the receiver; and means for collecting the liquid from the flowing stream and for discharging the mixed liquids on the cessation, or the substantial cessation, of the flowing stream, said means comprising a pipe associated at its respective ends with the flowing stream of liquid and with the receiver, the inflow through said pipe being subject to control.

15. Apparatus of the kind referred to for mixing and delivering liquids comprising a receiver wherein a supply of liquid from a flowing stream is collected; a container storing a supply of liquid to be mixed and discharged with the other liquid; means, including a permanent liquid-seal device, for establishing variable pressure communication between the receiver and the container subject to the ambient hydrostatic or atmospheric head; means for establishing liquid discharge communication between the container and the receiver; and means for collecting the liquid from the flowing stream and for discharging the mixed liquids on the substantial cessation, of the flowing stream, said means comprising a pipe associated at its respective ends with the flowing stream of liquid and with the receiver, and said pipe being subject to the control of a valve device.

16. Apparatus of the kind referred to for mixing and delivering liquids comprising a receiver wherein a supply of liquid from a flowing stream is collected; a container storing a supply of liquid to be mixed and dis charged with the other liquid; means, including a permanent liquid-seal device, for establishing variable pressure communication between the receiver and the container subject to the ambient hydrostatic or atmospheric head; means for establishing liquid discharge communication between the container and the receiver; and means for collecting the liquid from the flowing stream and for discharging the mixed liquids on the substantial cessation of the flowing stream, said means comprising a pipe associated at its respective ends with the flowing stream of liquid and with the receiver, and said pipe being subject to control by displacing the pipe from the normal position.

17. Apparatus of the kind referred to for mixing and delivering liquids comprising a receiver wherein a supply of liquid from a flowing stream is collected; a container storing a supply of liquid to be mixed and discharged with the other liquid; means, including a permanent liquid-sea1 device, for

said means comprising a pipe associated at 10 its respective ends with the flowing stream of liquid and With the receiver, and said pipe being subject to control by restricting the'bore thereof.

In testimony whereof, We aflix our signa- 15 tures. I

REGINALD HUMBHREY LEE PENNELL.

ADRIAN WILFRED WYLIE. 

